Chapter Three: Discoveries
Begrudgingly Hiccup began to stir as the sounds of the morning filtered in. Sitting up he raised his arms over his head as he stretched with a yawn. Lowering his hands to his face Hiccup did his best to wipe away the sleep from his eyes.
As his brain began to wake up he glanced about his surroundings.
Surprise showed evidently on his face when he realized he was not in the place he last remembered being but instead someplace new. "How did I get here?" Hiccup questioned upon recognizing that he was in his bedroom.
Seeing nothing out of the ordinary he threw back the covers. Inspecting himself he was mildly surprised to find he was still fully dressed though his boots had been removed. His puzzlement would have to wait till later. Moving to stand Hiccup scanned the room for his absent boots finding they had been placed side by side at the end of his bed. With his sock clad feet covered he turned straightening out the ruffled sheets before heading for the door.
He only just opened the door before he was nearly waylaid by the closed fist of his father. Luckily Stoick had stopped himself just short of smacking his son as the pair went to recompose themselves. "Uh hi there dad" the teen chuckled nervously "I guess I have you to thank for helping me into bed."
Stoick had just lowered his hand before his son began to speak. The older Viking cleared his throat, "Oh yes it was no trouble… If you're hungry breakfast is ready."
Hiccup gave a nod in response. With his message delivered Stoick turned and began to head back downstairs. Closing the bedroom door behind him Hiccup moved to follow the same path. Reaching the bottom of the stairs the Viking lad went straight for his usual seat. Acrossed from him Stoick took his seat while his outstretched hand offered up a plate for the taking.
Though he accepted the plate Hiccup made no move to eat just yet. Instead he stared at the plate resting on his lap "So dad… just how bad did it get out there?"
Pausing Stoick set his food laden fork back on the plate. "Many of the small buildings have been destroyed and on top of that several families' houses were ruined in the chaos." Stoick let out a pensive sigh "There are also many wounded in the storm, in fact we're lucky the number wasn't higher."
"Nobody… I mean d-did anybody" Hiccup tried to speak.
Stoick looked to his son easily understanding behind the boy's hesitation, "No. By the fate's hand it seems the valkyries won't be escorting anyone just yet."
Like his father, Hiccup felt a wash of relief, grateful that nobody had to suffer the loss of a loved one. Several minutes passed and the pair had returned their attention to slowly cooling food on their plates. Hiccup, still had other matters on his mind. The memory of what he had seen in the night sky had come back to torment him with questions.
"Hiccup, stop playing with your food" Stoick reprimanded watching his son fiddle with his plate like a child playing with his food. "Eat up before it goes cold."
Obeying Hiccup ceased the playing and proceeded to eat the majority of the morning grub. Washing it down with a hearty gulp from his beverage but still the question haunted him. Just what had he seen that night? Bringing his gaze up from the half empty plate he looked to his father "Uh dad?"
"Hmm" Stoick hummed as he looked to Hiccup from over his mug.
Hiccup opened his mouth to speak unfortunately he found himself without words. Internally he had begun to debate with himself about whether or not he should share with his what he had seen. Part of him said to tell his father about it as perhaps he would have an answer. But on the other side told him not to as his father may think it was just another of his tales and he may at worst get ridiculed for it. As everyone knew only select dragons would chose to fly in stormy weather but even they had their limits and yesterday's storm was certainly beyond those limits.
On the opposite side of the fire pit Stoick sat quietly. The older male watching the expressions of doubt and anxiety play out over his son's features with a raised eyebrow. 'What's going on with him?' Stoick pondered as he gazed on.
Ultimately Hiccup became aware of just how he must look to his father, with his contorted face and shifting expressions. Reacting he decided that for the time being he would let the topic drop. However, that would not stop his father's curiosity and he had to shift topics to something else. "Umm do you believe what the Elder said? You know about the storm not being natural."
A serious and contemplative expression dominated Stoick's features. The chieftain's own mind now was echoing with thoughts, some the very same from the night before. "In all my years Hiccup, I have yet to have witness such a bizarre occurrence" the Viking's gaze shifted from the boy to the glowing embers of the fire pit. "The way it came without warning, the strange purple bolts, or nary the fact how it just vanished from the sky" Stoick's tone was low underlying the seriousness "No something conjured it. But by what or whom… I cannot say."
Following that admission both parties fell into silence their minds churning away with even more questions and even fewer answers.
Finishing breakfast took a little longer than usual but they cleaned their plates nonetheless. Standing the pair set placed the soiled dishes in the wash basin and made their way outside. The father and son stood atop the hill just in front of the house their eyes focused out on the village below. During the night Stoick had seen the destruction but in the clear light of day the damages were more apparent.
In contrast this was the first time Hiccup had seen it. Though similar to the devastation left in the wake of a dragon raid, this was a different sort of damage. When the dragons raided buildings were burnt and things were more or less kept clean. But this wasn't like that, buildings were merely ripped apart their bits and pieces lay everywhere and already many of the villagers were roving about cleaning the mess.
Stoick placed his hands on his hips as he looked out acrossed the landscape. "This mess will take some time to clear away" he spoke with a gentle sigh "And the repairs even longer."
-x-X-x-
The teen strode close behind his father, the pair of them moving along the cobblestone pathway that led them through the heart of the village. All along the way their eyes surveyed the damages done to the various buildings. Now in person and under the sun's rays they could see them in greater detail than they had looking down from the hill.
One house caught Hiccup's eye.
At first glance the home looked to be more or less intact yet if one looked it became clear it wasn't as this was a façade. The house had been ripped almost cleanly in half, with the back half being ripped away. The building next to it had its roof completely peeled away and it now lay just behind it on the ground. Another had large hole where the front door once had been almost as if some monstrosity had tried to force its way inside. Scattered acrossed the street in front of them where the crumbled remains of a chimney after having fallen way from the home of its owner.
With the amount of debris cluttering the streets everybody had to be aware of where they walking lest they could trip over some bit or bob.
The villagers had organized themselves into the cleanup crews. The only exception was the children who were relegated to waiting outside the village at the Great Hall. The teens had been placed in charge of picking up the majority of the debris. While they could handle some of the larger pieces they were generally left to the adults for deposal. All the gathered material was then placed into the waiting carts to be taken out of the village for sorting and disposal.
Rounding the corner the father and son duo came upon one of the destroyed homes. The pile of rubble was unrecognizable to what it once was. What were once walls was now just broken logs, what was a chimney was now just scattered stones, and laying amongst the mess was the home's contents mostly buried. Roaming the pile of refuse was the family who had lived there, collecting whatever belongings they could managed to find.
Before Stoick could offer to lend a hand his attention was sidetracked.
"Stoick," a large dark-haired Viking called out as he jogged towards them. Turning Stoick regarded the man and with a nod acknowledged him. "We finished our inspection of the ships. It looks none have suffered irreparable harm."
The man's words brightened the chieftain's mood "Ah some good news."
Seeing the reaction to his message made the man hesitant to say the next part. When Stoick took notice he had no choice but continue "It appears during the storm the fish pens were taken down by one of the ships smashing into it."
"By Odin's beard," Stoick exclaimed his disposition taking a sour turn "How much of the stock did we lose, or are any there still left in the pens?"
"By last count, three quarters were gone."
If they could have Hiccup's ears would have turned red with the colorful language his father now grumbled. Forgetting about his nearby son Stoick turned his hand pointing out at several individuals before issuing commands to accompany him. The others mildly surprised by his manner of speech quickly fell in line behind him as the chieftain led them to the harbor.
"Okay, I guess… I'll see ya later dad" Hiccup called out "I'll just be around." The teen watched his father move off showing little sign he had heard what his song had said. "I guess then I'll head off to the workshop" before heading off Hiccup took last look around.
-x-X-x-
It didn't take long for Hiccup to make his way to the blacksmith's shop. His mentor had beaten him there and probably by a fair amount of time by the looks of things. Gobber strode acrossed the shop floor to deposit the smelting bucket on the hook over the glowing coals of the forge.
"Well good morning to ya lad," the blacksmith greeted with a glance at the teen's entrance, "It's good to see you fared well after yesterday's happenings."
Striding passed him Hiccup taking the lone leather apron from its peg on the wall. Adorning the apron Hiccup moved to take his place stoking the bellows as Gobber added the iron scrapes to the bucket. The teen worked the pump for a time until Gobber motioned for him to cease.
"That'll do" the smith commented noting the intense radiance of the coals.
Letting his hands drop from the long handles Hiccup turned moving off a short distance to lean on one of the shops support beams. Gobber continued his work occasionally looking up to shift his gaze to the bucket and its contents to the nearby teenager. As he studied the lad Gobber noted that his mannerisms and behavior seemed off when compared to his usual self. The most telling of these was the rather far off and concentrated look he carried.
He chalked it up to having to do with the last night's occurrence but still there was no harm in asking, "You alright, Hiccup?"
"Huh?" the teen fumbled as he pulled from his thoughts "Yeah, of course. Never been better."
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow at his apprentice's reply, but seeing as he didn't seem any worse for the wear Gobber decided to let the subject drop. For now anyways. Moving forwards Gobber used his tong prosthesis to lift the bucket by its handle and careful of not spilling any of its contents carried it acrossed the shop. Setting the bucket down he retrieved a set of molds from under a table, then with even more care than before went about pouring the red hotel liquid metal into the pour hole to fill the molds.
"I've seen that look on your face before lad" Gobber remarked. Figuring enough time had passed the smith decided to inquire of the teen, "It's always there when there is something going on inside that head of yours. Which usually means a bit of clean for me or your dad, so how 'bout telling me?"
With his mentor's words Hiccup lifted his head to meet with Gobber's gaze. Still he looked distracted as he fidgeted with his hands as he tried to find his words. "Have you ever heard of a dragon that flies during a storm around here?" the teen questioned.
"No dragon around these parts will fly during a storm, Hiccup" the smith chuckled. "Too dangerous. Why the thunder alone is enough to scare them from the air for days afterwards" Gobber turned filling another mold "At least something good came from that storm. Nope, I reckon we won't have to worry about any of them showing around here anytime soon."
Then a thought struck Gobber as he turned to his apprentice, "Come to think of it why do ask laddie?"
"Well it's just I saw something… during the storm… up in the clouds" Hiccup emphasized his statement by timidly pointing skywards.
Gobber's large frame shook with laughter, "Right. That's a good one, Hiccup."
With the lack of belief on the other's part annoyed the teen. "It's not a joke. I really saw something" the lad rebuked, tone showing conviction.
The blacksmith turned setting the smelting pot down. He eyed his teenage apprentice carefully before addressing him, "And just what makes you think what you saw was a dragon?"
"I was closing the front door when I caught a glimpse of something among the clouds in the distance." The teen paused briefly as he recalled the incident "It looked like it was freefalling but then it sprouted wings from its back."
"Then what happened?"
"Well after the lightning died down it got too dark for me to see it anymore" Hiccup responded.
The Viking smith cocked his head, his doubt clear on his features, "So you say you glimpsed something at a distance falling from the sky. In the dark. During one of the worst storms the village has seen in an age." Gobber returned to the waiting molds, "Can you see where I have trouble with this?" his words punctuated with the motioning of his hands in the air before him.
"Well of course," Gobber's nod of agreement was soon ended "When you say it like that anyone would have trouble with it."
The older Viking smirked with the boy's cheeky answer and with a shake of his head went back to the task in front of him. The teen waited for any further rebuttal from his older friend but when none came Hiccup turned back to lean against the beam. Still the question continued to nag at Hiccup from the recesses of his mind. 'Gobber's right, no dragon around here would have been caught out there. So then what did I see?'
Both mentor and apprentice were soon interrupted by the approach of a tired looking Viking. "Gobber" he called out though still many feet away.
Both of the shop's occupants turned to see this man who called out. He was among the village's tallest, standing atleast a foot over Gobber, dressed in usual village attire while his face was rather unassuming. Save for the brown cloth of the eye-patch covering were his left eye should be and the long scar on his left cheek. His long auburn hair fluttered in the breeze and the short braid of his beard attempted the same.
Upon entering the shop the man paused to catch his breath. "Stoick needs your help with the sea pens" the newcomer directed the smith's attention with a outwards gesture of his arm.
"Very well" Gobber accepted. Turning about Hiccup watched as he replaced his current prosthetic with yet another of his designs. Removing his apron he laid it over the anvil and moved to follow the other man. The blacksmith halted at the threshold "Hiccup mind the shop this shouldn't take too long."
Receiving a quick nod Gobber turned and hobbled towards the harbor.
Taking off his own apron Hiccup placed it alongside his mentor's larger one. Stepping outside the shop he took a seat on one of the small wooden crates that were stacked out front. Reclining back he tried to make himself comfortable as he played the waiting game.
Boredom set in soon enough as time crept by. Leaning forwards the teen glanced at the sky taking note of the sun's position and read it as sometime after mid-day. Figuring if Gobber hadn't returned yet it must have been something serious and so would probably be preoccupied for a while to come. Standing Hiccup decided to go for a short walk to alleviate the monotony and perhaps use the opportunity to clear his head.
Turning he set off in a seemingly random direction leaving the workshop behind.
-x-X-x-
Hiccup had been walking for a while now and still his mind kept turning back to other things. Without meaning to the teen had apparently taken a road that led him from the village and now found himself on the beach.
The sound of the waves lapping at the shore was refreshing as it was relaxing. Overhead he could see the sky full of sea birds calling out to one another as they drifted about on the oceanic winds. Frequently they would dive down and land on the sands where they would precede to squabble over the many long stranded fish. Doing his best Hiccup tried to avoid stepping on any of the fish carcasses lest he have to deal with the pungent aroma.
Following along the contours of the beach, his gaze alternated between watching the ocean waves and the sands beneath his feet.
Green eyes scanning over the tidal zone seeing nothing out of the ordinary. Just like all the storms before it, this storm too had caused the ocean waves to bring all myriad of things ashore. Everything from fish, seashells, seaweed, to pieces of driftwood, all dredged up from the ocean floor by the turbulent waves.
However, this time there was something different hidden amongst the random flotsam.
As he rounded a turn where the beach merged into a cove he caught a glint of something. Cocking his head the teen looked again and again the something glinted in the sunlight. Puzzled Hiccup started towards this unknown object. It was obvious the sunlight was reflecting off some kind of metal object but what he couldn't say. Perhaps it was a goblet, or maybe someone's sword that had been carried out here by the winds and tides.
At three feet it became clear that the object that lay half buried was no goblet. Kneeling down Hiccup eyed the thing carefully; extending his hand he began to wipe away the sand. Freed of the soil Hiccup cradled it in his hands as he set out to examine it. It was much like a tall mug, a hollow cylinder about a foot long and five inches wide and around the top it had a set of winding grooves cut into it, while on the side a strange set of markings etched into its otherwise smooth surface. Another of the traits that amazed Hiccup was just how lightweight it was for being made of metal.
"Where did this come from?" Hiccup lifted his gaze from the thing in his hands to scan the cove for anything else. His eyes studied the shoreline, taking in every inch of sand searching for anything that didn't belong.
There!
A dark something lay not far down the ways partially obscured by one of the large beach rocks.
At first glance Hiccup thought it to be just another rock but as he looked at it the shape just wasn't right. Moving closer to investigate the dark object and with a clearer view he was able to see just what it was. The dark object was in fact a boot and it was still attached to its owner.
Hiccup stopped instantly, the metal cylinder he had been carrying fell from his hands as he scrambled to draw his knife. Edging closer, knife held out at the ready, the Viking lad peered over the top of the rock. Green eyes scanned over the body of the young man laid out on the sands. As he surveyed the other teen Hiccup couldn't help but stare at his manner of dress. The clothing style and materials were something that he had never seen before.
While the black shirt he wore wouldn't seem too out of place in the village, his pants were a different matter. Whereas all other sets of trousers he had seen were of a solid color these were made of several. These were covered in a mix of browns, greens, and black blotches creating an obscure pattern that closely resembled what one would see dappled upon the forest floor. His gaze then turned to the teen's equally odd footwear. They looked to be made from stained black leather with a thin length of black string lashed in a criss-cross pattern up the front of them. But what really tugged at his curiosity was the underside, with its strange textured outsole made from a unknown material.
Returning to taking in the sight as a whole Hiccup began to notice no outward signs of life. "Is he dead?" the teen mused.
Swallowing the lump in his throat Hiccup edged closer until within arm's reach. Closer Hiccup could now make out the slight rhythmic movements of the stranger's chest rising and falling, a sure sign of life. The unconscious young man coughed abruptly startling the anxious Viking lad making him retreat in a brief stagger, his knife now held out in front of him ready to defend himself. He waited as seconds ticked by, observing for any sign the foreigner was waking.
Again he grew bold and strode forwards, this time he carefully extended his right leg and using his foot nudged the comatose body. No response.
"Oh I gotta let the others know about this" Hiccup said aloud as he slipped the knife back into its usual place. Taking a last glance around the dark haired lad turned and made for the village as fast as his feet could carry him.
-x-X-x-
Hiccup had made it back to the village in record time. Though he might have stepped on a few of the fish along the way and then nearly been tripped up by the scattered debris. Now he weaved through the village, doing his best to avoid any run ins with the roving villagers.
As he made his approach to the blacksmith shop he could see his mentor had returned sometime during his absence.
Gobber stood in front of the smithery, arms crossed upon his chest and a none-too-pleased expression scowled on his features. "Hiccup," he barked at the sight of his wayward apprentice "I told you to mind the stall. Not going gallivanting off into thin air."
"I… I know…but" the teen gasped for breath finally coming to a halt.
"Easy now take a deep breath before you pass out on me lad" the smith spoke his hands miming for him to settle.
Hiccup did just that as he hunched over taking several deep breaths and exhaled just as deeply. Straightening himself up he looked up at the taller male, "I didn't mean to be gone for so long but you were gone so I figured I'd go clear my head. So I went for a walk and round up on the beach. As I was walking along I found some weird metal tube" the teen did his best to mime the object's description "Then I looked for anything else but instead of something else I found someone else."
Gobber stared perplexed by the fast talking youngster, "Wait, what do you mean you found someone else?"
"Laying behind some of the large rocks there's body."
Gobber processed the information. It couldn't be anyone from the village as everyone was accounted for, and surely no one was missed as Stoick himself had carried out the count. So then just who was it that Hiccup had found on the beach? "Are they alive or dead?" Gobber inquired his tone one of strict seriousness.
"Alive, but he wasn't moving any" Hiccup responded.
The older Viking took a moment to rub his chin before placing a hand on Hiccup's shoulder "Take me to 'em."
"Shouldn't we tell my dad first?" the teen posed as he hesitated, his hand pointing towards the harbor.
"No time for that, if they're hurt we need to help first" Gobber turned hobbling towards the beach "Now let's get going."
With that the teen turned and proceeded to lead the way. While Gobber's pace was limited by his mobility Hiccup's was not and this was fact he had seemed to forget. The gap between the two Viking's had grown but luckily for the blacksmith there were things to slow him down. One such was when Hiccup almost collided with a group of villager's carrying a load of wood planks for repairs. However, Gobber was quick to react.
Reaching out he plucked the teen from the ground with his prosthetic and corrected the boy's course as he set him back down. This time Hiccup moved at an easier pace.
Once on the beach their progress was further hampered by the sandy surface. The reason being as Gobber's didn't allow him fast travel as the loose material simply moved aside and attempted to swallow up the artificial limb. But nonetheless Gobber didn't let such a thing slow him down.
"Just over there" Hiccup called over his shoulder, right arm pointing the vicinity.
Slowing their pace considerably they moved carefully checking the area, both parties wary that there may be new surprises. But the beach was the same as Hiccup had left it with its scattered clutter and the alien metal tube still lying where he had dropped it.
"Hold up, Hiccup" Gobber spoke.
The teen did as told and hanged back while the older Viking moved over to the body. Kneeling down the smith examined the unknown teen, indeed Hiccup was right this lad was definitely not from the village. Reaching out he turned the boy's head to the side. The moist sand stuck to the side of his face but when his head flopped to the side he saw more than just sand was clinging to the side of his face. From his temple a path of crusty dried blood stretched down almost to his chin. A wound the smith examined using a hand to brush the teen's hair away.
"Hmm, a nasty bump to the head and he feels a might feverish" Gobber commented, removing his adorned helmet he leaned down placing an ear to the boy's chest. "Well his heart sounds strong. We best be getting him to a healer."
Taking hold of the unconscious teen's arm Gobber pulled him up before hoisting his limp body over his broad shoulder. Before standing up he snatched his helmet up and affixed it into its usual place on his noggin before turning to leave. With his passenger in place Gobber and Hiccup began the trek back to the village although his pace through the sand was further hampered by the additional weight forcing his artificial leg deeper into the loose soil.
-x-X-x-
Once back within Berk it wasn't long before the arrival began to attract the attention of others. Many a curious onlooker turned to watch as the blacksmith strode passed with the unknown individual slung over his shoulder like a hunter carrying a deer. Both Hiccup and Gobber did their best to pay them little heed as they strode determinedly through the streets towards the home of the village healer.
Striding up to her door Gobber knocked upon the wooden obstruction loudly, not even sure that she would be there in the first place what with the other injured needing tending to. Pausing briefly he waited for any response and when none came he started again. This time it garnered the response he had hoped for, well sort anyway.
The healer was quick to answer her door in an effort to ending the infernal pounding. She yanked the door open wide and without word glared harshly at the pair that stood on the steps to her home. Birna stood about as tall as Gobber did her svelte form leaned against the door frame. Her face betraying her weariness, no doubt a result from tending to the many injured from last night's storm. And though her eyes had much anger in them, there was an undertone of gentleness that still shone through.
Her expression of displeasure changed when she noticed Gobber's passenger. "What is it, Gobber?" she inquired her tone a mix between mild irritation and concern.
"Birna, the lad here is in need of your help" the smith replied with a gentle shrug allowing the passed out teen to slip into his cradled arms.
Stepping out on to the small porch Birna examined the peculiar young man. Her eyes drawn to the crusty gash on the side of his temple, "Very well bring him inside" Birna replied retreating from the door and further into the room.
With Gobber and his protégé trailed behind her through the threshold where Birna directed the blacksmith to a cot that lay against the room's far wall. Gobber did so, softly laying his cargo on the cot's thin mattress. He had nary a moment before being harshly brushed aside as Birna moved for a closer examination of her newest patient.
Taking a seat on a short stool besides the cot and began to look him over. Cupping his chin she tilted his head to the side eyes trailing over the dried blood, locating the source her diligent fingers traced delicately over the injury. "Not too deep, good the bleeding was not heavy" she spoke to herself before pressing the back of her hand to his forehead "Indeed he has a fever."
Shifting on the stool Birna cast a look to Gobber "Do you know who he is?"
"Afraid not lass," Gobber answered with a shake of his head "Hiccup only discovered him not long ago. Is there anything you can do for him?"
She stood quickly and the pair of males were even quicker to get out of her way. Striding crossed the room the dark haired woman approached a set of shelves upon which sat various small pouches, jars, and several small wooden chests. From the top shelf she retrieved a petite mortar and pestle before roving over the others to gather a myriad of ingredients needed in crafting the medicine needed. A dried newt, dried fish liver, a wide variety of herbs and a few things that gave the other two Vikings an uneasy stomach.
Taking her assorted goodies Birna then moved to a small table, here she went about mincing many of the herbs into much smaller pieces. That step out of the way all the ingredients were then added to the mortar and pestle to be crushed and ground into a fine powder.
As the healer busied herself, Gobber turned to the young lad that had started all this. "Hiccup, it'd probably be best if you alerted your father to this" he spoke in a soft tone. The wiry teen seemed hesitant as he watched the healer and her patient. "Go on now lad isn't much more we can do" with a nod he turned and left to deliver the news.
Satisfied with their condition Birna dumped the powdered mix into a miniature caldron to which she added some water before setting it above the fire. Taking a seat she stirred the contents slowly, every few moments alternating the direction in which her hand traveled.
"So what is it you're making?" the blacksmith asked peering over the woman's shoulder.
"A simple draft, it should help rid him of the fever," Birna spoke softly. Lifting her gaze cast a glance to Gobber "But the fever is high and it may not be enough. Only the fates will decide."
An uneasy silence settled in over the pair as time ticked by.
The mixture had begun to boil when the door to her home was briskly pushed open. The home's occupants immediately turned their attention to cause, their eyes falling on Stoick as he entered with a small entourage and Hiccup not far behind.
"Where is he?"
"Ah nice of you to join us, though you could have been easier on the door" the healer replied with sass "And keep your voice down for Freya's sake."
Stoick paid little heed to her abrupt tone as he moved to stand nearer the sleeping teen. Hiccup was mildly surprised by Birna's attitude and so chose to remain close to the door. The Viking chief stood over cot's occupant, his eyes studying his features and clothing.
Lifting his hand Stoick cupped his chin, "Any idea where he came from?"
"I don't know." Gobber responded giving a light shrug. "I've never seen any tribe with clothes like his."
"Hiccup, are you sure you didn't see anything else?" the chieftain asked as he turned to the Viking lad who stood on the opposite side of the room.
"Yeah dad," the boy was quick to answer "Gobber and I didn't see anything."
Stoick hmm'd to himself "Still it would be best if we sent a search party to scour the beach and the surrounding waters." The proposal garnered a bout of head nodding from the gathered men as they mulled over the situation.
"Is it wise for us to be aiding this boy?" one of the other men inquired.
Another man stepped forwards his arms held imploringly, "Indeed, we know not where the lad came from or how he got here." The man paused "He could very well be a spy from another clan." His words started many a half-mumbled commentary from several gathered.
Tired of the turn the discussion was talking Birna stood quickly. Her rapid stance took some by surprise as she scowled at them, "Or he could a poor soul who got caught in the storm at sea. For all we know is he could be the sole survivor." The healer's heated words and blazing stare forced the others to avoid her gaze and silenced any who thought to dispute. With foolishness dealt with Birna turned lifting the small caldron and pouring its contents into a cup.
Stoick smirked as she strode briskly passed him and the others.
Birna was the compassionate sort most of the time, but she had a fiery temper. Those that would go against her were always perched on a razors edge of raising her ire. To run along with her temper she had a stubborn streak running through her, Birna would defiantly hold her ground against any argument no matter who it was with. With the way she acted sometimes, if any didn't know better they might mistake her for a chieftain.
The bedridden teen's cough brought focus back upon him.
Birna moved acrossed the room to the table setting the cup down for a moment as she filled a bowl of water from a nearby pitcher. Then she returned to her seat on the stool beside her patient's cot. Carefully she cradled the boy's head and gently moved him to sit up slightly. Pressing the rim of the cup against his lips the healer slowly tilted the cup allowing the liquid contents to trickle into his mouth. Though still unconscious he instinctive swallowed the liquid little by little as it filled his mouth until the cup had been emptied.
Next she set the cup aside and pulled a waded strip of cloth from her pocket. Dipping the cloth into the cool water she used the dripping cloth to dab away at the crust of sand and blood that covered his cheek. After each pass Birna swished the rag about in the bowl before ringing it out to remove the mess. Little by little she cleaned his face till she reached the original gash, here she was forced to apply more pressure to clear the gunk. With the wound cleaned and clear the healer then retrieved a mason jar half the size of an apple. As she removed the lid the room was quickly filled with a rather pungent aroma.
So aromatic was it that those that accompanied Stoick quickly left the room heading outside to get some fresh air.
Birna smirked over her shoulder in amusement of their weaker constitutions. Turning back around the healer dipped a flat bit of wood into the herbal salve withdrawing a good helping of the smelly goop. Then using the applicator she smoothed it over the gash making sure it was completely coated and after that she applied a strip of clean white cloth to cover and protect the recovering injury.
"I've done all I can, he needs his rest now" sitting back Birna set the jar aside. "Now the three of you time to be off."
Before the healer could rise from her stool the three remaining males turned and headed for the door. And a good thing they did lest they would have been forcibly ushered out. Outside the chieftain's entourage stood waiting, ready to continue their discussion about their visitor. But also some of the villagers had gathered in curiosity, all interested in discovering more about the recent arrival.
Turning Stoick looked the teen that followed behind, "Hiccup," at his father's call the teen approached "I want you to show the search party where you found the boy."
"Okay" Hiccup nodded enthusiastically.
While his father and mentor strode off heavily in dialogue followed closely by the other men, Hiccup stopped and looked back at the healer's home. Birna stood by the door for a moment, the woman gave him a gentle nod before closing the door. Turning back he rushed to catch up with his father.